What! Why Oz?

Naturally and quite expectedly, we've been struggling with people's perception of australia as a valid mission field. For the most part, when people hear us talk about how we feel compelled to offer up our marriage/life to God, they get excited and support the idea of serving together. But then, just when the support is building up, we drop the bomb on how we've been called to Australia and everything changes. All of a sudden, I can see it in their eyes... "australia, are you kidding me?" "You're not going on missions, you're going on a vacation!"

Then of course, I can't help but sigh, gather myself, and try to re-explain what this is all about. You see, when I tell someone "we're going on missions to australia" maybe it just sounds weak or unconvincing, like it is a vacation. But, if I change the words a bit and say something like "you know what, the people of Australia really need to know Christ", then all of a sudden people seem to agree and see some need for missions there.

Well, whatever the case is, I don't blame people for bringing their preconceived notions of Australia as some dream vacation filled with darling harbors, cute, cuddly kangaroos and opera houses. It is a beautiful place afterall!

But, after all the struggles we've had in trying to share our vision for God's work in Australia, we received an unexpected encouragement from one of theresa's old friends from berkeley. It goes like this:

"theresa! it's been a long time! do you still remember me? hehe :)

i'm so excited to hear that you and dan will be going to australia for missions! this might sound crazy, but we actually prayed for missionaries to go to australia in one of my classes! i'm in the biblical counseling program at the master's college and we have a sister program out in australia (i don't know exactly where). you should do the program! :) anyway, my professor was saying that the people out there are hungry for the Word and there's a great need for missionaries! what an answer to prayer! i praise God for you both and am excited to hear more about how you decided to go, what you'll be doing, etc. etc. :)"

Anyways, thanks to you all for trying to see beyond the "glitz" of this "trip" and see that Australia, as much as any country in the world, is truly in need of Christ's saving grace!

the start of something beautiful

Hey everyone!
Thanks for visiting our little australia missions blog. If you'd like to find out more and help support the growing mission field in australia, please email us at danandtheresa@gmail.com with your mailing address/current info. Or, just leave your info in the comments section below. Either way, we'd love to send your our support letter and update you throughout this journey.
Thanks so much and God bless!
Soli Deo Gloria,
Dan & Theresa